Chickengate: New application for temporary poultry shed in Strande Lane

Grace Witherden

02:30PM, Friday 06 May 2016

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A chicken farm could still come to Cookham after a fresh application was submitted to the Royal Borough.

The application by Samuel Driver asks if it would be lawful to put up a moveable poultry shed on land between Lightlands Lane and Strande Lane.

The shed would be used to farm free-range chicken eggs and the shelter would be for hens to sleep in.

An explanation document on the planning application states: “The building will be constructed of bolted together sections with a suspended floor, mounted on field skids.

“The structure will be light and will be clad in polythene. It will be capable of being moved, and will be moved, frequently.”

The shed would be the MPL 8000 purchased from McGregor Polytunnels Ltd, described on the website as the ‘perfect size for holding 2,000-4,000’ birds.

The application asks the council to confirm the use of land does not require planning permission as use of land for the purposes of agriculture is excluded from the definition of ‘development’ in the Town and Country Planning Act.

Four applications submitted in August by Mr Driver for a storage unit, log cabin and two sheds on the site were refused by Maidenhead Development Control Panel in February.

The original application, nicknamed Chickengate, caused fierce opposition in Cookham and an action group was set up by residents to protest against it.

The reason for refusal was the location of the land in a ‘functional flood plain’ and lack of evidence to suggest development would not harm its use as such.

A new mural at Boyne Hill infants was painted over the summer. It features sporting characters which are designed by children at the school.Boyne Hill Infant School, 30 Rutland Rd, Maidenhead. Jane Davies, Headteacher, Marianna James, Office Manager.